Jurist and Educator. He was the son of Continental Congressman William Duer (1747-1799). After serving in the Navy he completed his legal studies and practiced in New York City, and later Rhinebeck and Albany. He served for several years in the New York Assembly and in 1822 he was appointed a state Supreme Court Judge. Duer resigned his judgeship in 1829 to accept the Presidency of Columbia University. He served until 1842, when he retired to Morristown. Duer was one of America's first legal scholars, and his books and classroom lessons were part of the standard curriculum for nineteenth century law students. Among his works was 1833's "Outlines of the Constitutional Jurisprudence of the United States." Duer was also a historian and lecturer whose books and speeches included "Reminiscences Of An Old Yorker," and "New York As It Was," as well as an 1848 biography of his grandfather, General William Alexander, Lord Stirling. In addition Duer edited 1837's "Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette." He was the husband of Hannah Maria Denning (1782-1862), the daughter of Congressman William Denning.